Senior R&D Specialist (RNF Pet Products Inc.)

at  Riverside Natural Foods Ltd

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a $300 million+ Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, ‘better-for-you’ snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.
We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2027, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.
So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.
You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

POSITION SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE:

This position is responsible to develop a portfolio of branded and private label pet food & treats from idea to commercialization.

Education & Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in Food Science, Engineering or Nutrition
• Proven experience with product development life cycle (3+ years) in the Pet Food/Snack categor

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to work independently and prioritize workload
• Delivers results in context of time and budget constraints
• Ability to take OWNERSHIP and prioritize workload
• PASSIONATE and brings enthusiasm to everything we do
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Desire for career growth and personal skill development
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills, self-starter with a high level of initiative and AGILITY
• Desire for personal skill development keeping a HUMBLE approach throughou

• Demonstrate and uphold Riverside’s Core Values
• Researches and stays abreast of latest pet food and ingredient trends, seeks out novel and/or functional ingredients related to pet food and snacking. Provides technical guidance to cross-functional teams like Marketing on opportunities based on research.
• Partner with procurement to source new ingredients to provide functional benefits to pets, complying to Riversides supplier quality requirements
• Develops new formulations to expand the RNF Pet’s product offering, meeting target costs and timeline. Completes all necessary steps including sourcing of new ingredients, developing prototypes, benchmarking against competitors, validating final formulation.
• Works in conjunction with R&D Manager fulfil product design requirements for PL customers
• Plans & executes plant trials. Uses results to make recommendations and actionable next steps
• Validates manufacturing process for new products
• Leads projects to improve productivity, quality, & consistency; engages all stakeholders throughout project
• Participates with R&D manager and engineering to identify and specify requirements for new technology to improve manufacturing of existing product lines
• Responsible to execute the R&D validation of new equipment to expand capacity
• Delivers and maintains process specification & finished product specification
• Maintains up-to-date ingredient & finished product information in Genesis software and customer specific specifications
• Commits to dealing with suppliers and the TEAM in a RESPECTFUL and authentic manner
• Executes special projects to improve R&D capabilities
• Keeps updated documentation of assigned projects
• Keeps the work atmosphere FUN by keeping it light and welcoming
• Other duties as required
  Reporting Relationships
  The position reports directly to President – Product Development & Commercialization
  No positions report to the Scientist.

Education & Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in Food Science, Engineering or Nutrition
• Proven experience with product development life cycle (3+ years) in the Pet Food/Snack category

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to work independently and prioritize workload
• Delivers results in context of time and budget constraints
• Ability to take OWNERSHIP and prioritize workload
• PASSIONATE and brings enthusiasm to everything we do
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Desire for career growth and personal skill development
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills, self-starter with a high level of initiative and AGILITY
• Desire for personal skill development keeping a HUMBLE approach throughout